Ted Drewes, the family run frozen custard stand that has anchored South St. Louis since 1929, marked its 97th year on Saturday with long lines at the Chippewa stand and a set of anniversary specials. The celebration doubled as a warm weather kickoff and came as the seasonal South Grand location prepared to return for summer service.
What the specials are
At the Chippewa stand, customers could buy a $1.97 sundae served in a miniature St. Louis Cardinals helmet and 97 cent single scoop cones during the one day anniversary event. As reported by KSDK, those offers were limited to the Chippewa location and drew longtime fans and families back to the windows.
A local tradition
Per Ted Drewes' website, the shop first opened in 1929 and remains family owned, and the Chippewa stand sits on an alignment of historic Route 66 and has been a destination for generations. The company is best known for the "concrete," a thick frozen custard mix so dense it is famously served upside down, a trick that helped build the spot's national reputation.
Why it matters
The 97th anniversary arrives in Route 66's centennial year, a tourism moment bringing extra attention to Mother Road landmarks. Brand USA has highlighted 2026 as a centennial moment for Route 66, and the Chippewa stand's return to full service comes as the city has rolled out pedestrian and safety upgrades on Chippewa to better handle larger crowds, per reporting by pedestrian safety upgrades near Ted Drewes.
Family note
In a post, the Ted Drewes family and staff wrote, "we feel so honored and blessed to be a part of a city that recognizes our deep and genuine commitment to quality and service," a message reported by KSDK. The company thanked customers for decades of support and framed the day as both celebration and a way to kick off the summer season.
When to visit
The Chippewa stand's hours are listed on Ted Drewes' website as 11:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. daily, while the South Grand location is seasonal and is listed at 4224 South Grand with afternoon to evening hours, and both locations' addresses and current times are posted on the site. Expect lines on warm weekends and plan accordingly if you want to try the classic concrete or score budget friendly anniversary deals.
